Ojami Cushion - Nishijin Silk

About Fabric

Nishijin Silk

Woven in Kyoto, Nishijin-ori is one of Japan’s most celebrated textiles, renowned for the intricate weaving of diverse, fine weft yarns. This meticulous technique yields an exceptionally dense, richly textured fabric with a sophisticated, elegant luster.

In this exclusive collection, time-honored patterns preserved by generations of master weavers meet Takaokaya’s masterfully curated thread colors. Crafted into our Ojami cushions, this beautiful fabric seamlessly elevates modern spaces—beautifully bridging historical heritage with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic.

About Fabric

Nishijin Silk

About Fabric

Nishijin Silk

How the Ojami Cushion Was Born

THE STORY

The Ojami Cushion is the brainchild of Takaokaya’s 3rd generation CEO, Koichiro Takaoka. Being particular about relaxing, he has always found it a little uncomfortable to fold the traditional zabuton cushion in half when sitting on the floor. So he wanted to revolutionize the experience of sitting down by creating a cushion that everyone can “sit comfortably by raising our bottom”, as part of his lifelong quest of pursuing the art of relaxation and creating kutsurogi products that put a smile on everyone who uses them.

Inspired by otedama—the traditional Japanese beanbag toy called ojami in the Kyoto dialect—the idea to transform this playful, historic shape into a functional cushion actually came from one of the company's skilled craftswomen. However, turning a small toy into a large floor cushion presented a major hurdle. While standard cushions are flat and two-dimensional, the Ojami is inherently three-dimensional, making the stuffing and shaping process an immense challenge.

It took years of rigorous trial and error with the inner filling to ensure the cushion would perfectly maintain its geometric shape while offering unparalleled comfort. This level of comfort cannot be replicated by automated machines; every single cushion is carefully hand-stuffed by Takaokaya's skilled artisans. Today, we bring Kutsurogi to the world.

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how to enjoy Kutsurogi

ojami cushion relaxation guide

Learn and experience the art of Kutsurogi (relaxation) with your beloved Ojami Cushions. Below are some of our favorite ways to relax with the Ojami... try our ways or find your own sweet spot for relaxation with your beloved Ojami and share with us!

Floor Seating

Agura (Cross-Legged Sitting)

Agura is another traditional way of sitting on the floor, with your legs crossed in front of you. When you use an Ojami cushion, it naturally raises your bottom, allowing you to sit comfortably and maintain a natural, relaxed posture.

This style is often used during zazen（坐禅）, meditation （瞑想）, and the Ojami cushion has become a favorite among meditation lovers for the comfort and stability it provides.

Sitting in agura also helps to open and loosen the hip joints — a gentle exercise that supports the body’s natural alignment. It’s even known to help prepare the hips for childbirth, making the Ojami a popular choice for expectant mothers as they await delivery.

Floor Seating

Seiza (Kneeling)

In Seiza, the traditional Japanese sitting style, you kneel with your legs folded neatly underneath you. Because your weight rests directly on your legs, they can easily start to feel numb after a while.

With an Ojami cushion, simply place it between your legs and sit on it — the cushion gently supports your weight, easing the pressure on your legs. This makes Seiza much more comfortable, so you can relax and enjoy floor seating with ease.

Sofa and Chair Seating

Lean Back and Relax

When you think of a cushion, you probably imagine something soft and fluffy. But Takaokaya’s Ojami is a little different. With just the right balance of firmness and bounce, it offers a unique kind of comfort you’ll feel the moment you lean back.

Place an Ojami behind you and find your favorite position — that “just right” spot where your body truly relaxes. Once you do, you’ll sink into a deeper sense of comfort and kutsurogi like never before.

Sofa and Chair Seating

Hug Your Comfort

Place the Ojami in front of you and wrap your arms around it — just like giving a little hug. Somehow, it instantly makes you feel warm and relaxed inside.

Whether you’re watching TV, chatting with family, or just taking a quiet break, cuddling your Ojami brings a gentle sense of comfort that melts the stress away. It’s your perfect companion for those hokkori, cozy moments of kutsurogi.

Rest & Recharge

Feeling Sleepy? It’s a Pillow Too

There are so many ways to enjoy the Ojami. Believe it or not, it also makes the perfect little pillow.

After a long day, just sink into your sofa and rest your head on it — you’ll drift off before you know it. That gently softened shape that forms with daily use fits just right, wrapping you in familiar comfort.

In that moment, you don’t need to do anything — just let yourself melt into pure relaxation.

stuffing by skillful craftsmen

Unlike ordinary cushions, the Ojami is designed to be three-dimensional and is hand-stuffed with cotton by our craftsmen to ensure greater volume and fluffiness all over. The Ojami Cushion, being thicker, helps to elevate the bottom so you can sit more comfortably and relax.

three-layer structure

To prevent the Ojami from going flat easily and to give support for a good sitting posture naturally, we created a three-layer structured inner filling. We selected a special urethane which is used as the core, which is then wrapped with a cotton pad, to create exquisite firmness and thickness.

Shape secured by center stitch

Middle stitches are applied to the center of the cushions to keep the cotton filling in place. The contours achieved by this stitch, naturally take the form of your body when you sit or lie down on the Ojami, to provide absolute comfort and rest.

Crafted with Care, Filled with Heart

Each Kangu from Takaokaya is handcrafted by our team of Shokunin (職人), skilled craftsmen and women who carry knowledge and techniques passed down through generations. In our Kyoto studio, we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to creating Kutsurogi — true relaxation.

From the precise cutting of fabrics, to careful sewing, thoughtful stuffing, and the finishing touches, every step reflects the Shokunin’s dedication to detail. With care and sincerity, we approach our craft one piece at a time, ensuring each creation delivers comfort that touches the heart.